Shirley Ann Cook Pennington, 80, died peacefully at Southeastern Regional Medical Center on Friday, December 12, 2014. She was born on October 1, 1934 in Stokesdale, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert D. and Jewel Cook. Shirley grew up in Greensboro where she attended Bessemer High School and excelled in basketball. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where she graduated with honors. Shirley began her early career days as a producer at WFMY in Greensboro on the shows, Old Rebel, Captain Kangaroo, and Bozo. Following the family's move to Pembroke and later to Lumberton, Shirley taught in the Lumberton City Schools system for over 30 years. She taught at West Lumberton Elementary, W.H. Knuckles Elementary, and Janie Hargrave Elementary. Teaching young children was Shirley's passion and her love for each and every child was obvious in the many stories she told over the years. Mrs. Pennington also generously lent much of her time and talents to volunteer organizations including the First Baptist Church Bereavement Committee, the soup kitchen, and downtown thrift shop. Shirley found great joy in helping others and this also allowed her an avenue to share one of her favorite pastimes, cooking. She was passionate in her belief that no one should ever go hungry. Mrs. Pennington is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Raymond B. Pennington; daughter, Jeri (Dick) Hyland; son, Scott (Sally) Pennington; and three beautiful granddaughters, Kaycie Hyland, and Kelly and Marcie Springs; and special caregivers, Edna Shelby and Diedre King. A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 East 5th Street in Lumberton. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Lumberton with Dr. David Elks officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be made to the Lumberton Christian Care Center, 305 East 1st Street, Lumberton, NC 28358.